What is the “Walk Away” movement?

One of the fastest growing movements in social media is simply called, “Walk Away.” What is it? It’s thousands of former Democrats and Progressives who woke up to the lies they have been fed and believed for their entire lives. It’s testimonies from seniors, homemakers, professionals, even teenagers who started listening to the rhetoric espoused by the talking heads on television, the corrupt politicians, and the naïve people who surround them at work, school, in their communities, and even their churches.

I recently joined a Facebook group called ”Walk Away Campaign” and my timeline is now peppered with testimonials of people who were raised to hate and believe anything that came out of the mainstream media and Washington DC. At some point, these people “woke up” and saw the world from a completely different worldview.

When I joined this amazing Facebook group, they had 79,000 members. Less than 48 hours later they announced that they had surpassed 101,000 members and, of course, they’re still rapidly growing. Why? What’s causing this phenomenon? The word I’ve read more than any from these enlightened people is “hope.” They looked at the platform, policies, actions, attitudes, and behavior of those they had been blindly following for years and discovered a new way to think.

People cling to the Democrat Party for all kinds of reasons. Some are born and raised in politically active families, and it’s all they know. Others focus on one issue, like a woman’s right to choose, climate change, or many of the “social” issues that Democrats use to entrap millions of people. For many, it’s easier to go along to get along. And a really big one is the fear of change. Once we are exposed to the uncomfortable truth, we realize that we much make changes in our lives and many just can’t let go of their “comfort zone.”

There are hundreds of testimonies on the “Walk Away Campaign” Facebook page from people who started paying attention to the rhetoric coming from the liberals. Many pointed to one or two incidents or actions from Obama or someone in his cabinet that sparked a doubt, which grew into a question, ballooned into curiosity, and then finally, awareness.

It’s bewildering to people who have never thought the way that Democrats and Progressives think, especially those in positions of power in state and national offices. How can logical, intelligent people, as many Democrats are, just accept the twisted reasoning of the liberal media and their ilk without it raising the least question? How can anyone support a party who boos God and kicks him out of their platform?

I recently sat down with a friend to discuss a writing project I was considering. She is a proclaimed Republican but espouses all the liberal talking points and leaves little doubt of her allegiance to the liberal causes. She looked at me point-blank and asked, “Just what has Donald Trump done for America since he took office?” I have to admit; I was stumped. I wasn’t stumped because I couldn’t think of anything Donald Trump has done for America since taking office. He has made amazing strides in his efforts to Make America Great Again. I was stumped because the only achievement I could think of that wouldn’t completely repulse her was his moving forward to help veterans get adequate medical care.

I could have mentioned all kinds of wonderful things he has done for the economy, the military, bringing jobs back, and a host of other positive accomplishments. However, it hit me square in the face as she sat there expectantly staring, most of the things I could and would love to have mentioned would either horrify her or she would give credit to the Obama administration.

It was then just that I realized how deep the divide had become in America. The #WalkAway Campaign, and groups like them, give people a voice and a platform to encourage one another to wake up and walk away from the trap that has ensnared them. It lets them know they’re not alone because many have lost friends and even family over their decision to walk away. It’s also a great tool for those of us who don’t know what to say to someone who may be looking for answers or help to understand the conservative worldview.

The #WalkAway Campaign says it like this:

The #WalkAway Campaign is a true grassroots movement. It is a video campaign movement, dedicated to sharing the stories of people who can no longer accept the current ideology of liberalism and what the Democratic Party has become. Some left long ago. Many of us have recently been “red-pilled.” Some here have wanted to leave for some time but have feared the consequences they might suffer from friends or family if they walk away. This group is here to encourage and support those on the left to walk away from the divisive tenets by allowing people to share their stories or watch the video testimonies and read the posts of others who have walked away.

But this campaign also serves another very important purpose. For far too long, the left has controlled the narrative in this country in news and media while the “silent majority” on the right have done what they always do- remained silent. The left has been allowed for so long to reinforce the narrative that everybody on the right is a bigot, a racist, a homophobe, a misogynist, etc. But the left has become so extreme; it’s now time to fight back.

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Dr. Sharon Schuetz has a Ph.D. in clinical Christian counseling and has counseled hundreds of families over the past 25 years. In 2013 she and a friend started the website Lady-Patriots.com with 26 different authors and millions of visitors until she sold it in 2016. Since then, she has worked in her local county, Trinity, Texas in the Republican Party, Republican Women, the Trinity County Patriots, and is the former editor of the local newspaper, The Trinity Standard. She recently accepted the position of Secretary of the Trinity County Republican Party. Sharon and her husband of 42 years, Michael, pastor the Sebastopol Community Church in Trinity, and have three children and ten grandchildren.